Market Day traditions continue Sept. 29

CANDY BROOKS, ThisWeek Community News

Tuesday

Sep 25, 2012 at 12:01 AMSep 26, 2012 at 12:20 PM

History, hospitality and handmade crafts will fill Worthington's downtown streets from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, as Old Worthington Market Day 2012 is presented by the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce.

Editor's note: A special 12-page Market Day supplement accompanies this issue of ThisWeek Worthington News and ThisWeek Clintonville Booster. It includes event maps and a directory of vendors and activities, as well as sponsors and advertisers. ThisWeek Community News is a corporate sponsor of Old Worthington Market Day 2012.

History, hospitality and handmade crafts will fill Worthington's downtown streets from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, as Old Worthington Market Day 2012 is presented by the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce.

More than 20,000 visitors and nearly 200 arts-and-crafts exhibitors are expected at the annual event, which features artists, nonprofit groups and sponsor booths, stretched along High Street (U.S. Route 23), from state Route 161 south to South Street, and on the Village Green.

"Perhaps nothing captures the spirit of old and new Worthington traditions quite like Market Day," said Kathryn Paugh, the chamber's executive director. "We're excited that this year's event will include a dedication ceremony unveiling a historical marker on the southeast Village Green and the AAA hospitality area, a rest stop of canopied tables where Market Day visitors can relax and enjoy a beverage or food from their favorite restaurant vendor."

The historical-marker dedication will begin at 10 a.m. and will include comments from local elected officials, the Old Worthington Association, the Worthington Historic District Committee and the Ohio Historical Society.

The rest area, sponsored by AAA Ohio Auto Club, will be on the east side of High Street, near the Worthington United Methodist Church. Cold beverages, water for pets, maps and other information will be available at the hospitality area, as well as at the chamber event headquarters booth at the intersection of High Street and West New England Avenue.

Downtown Worthington streets will be blocked off to encompass colorful displays of hand-crafted goods and works of art, along with booths from community groups, food and farm products, music and family activities. The festival is complemented by special activities conducted by community partners, including the Friends of Worthington Libraries book sale, the Worthington Historical Society flea market, performances from high school bands and activities led by Worthington's Parks and Recreation Department and Griswold Senior Center staff members.

Farm-product vendors who are veterans of the Saturday morning farmers market in Worthington will have displays on the southwest Village Green and selected other spots along High Street.

Several local restaurants are among those offering food, including The Worthington Inn, J. Liu Restaurant & Bar, Gallo's Pit BBQ and Mrs. Goodman's Baking Co., as well as sweet treats from Emlolly and Cheryl's. Two food trucks, numerous food concessionaires and several community groups serving brats and other picnic-style treats also will be on hand.

Giveaways, product demonstrations and information are available at many of the community and school group booths and sponsor exhibits.

Presenting sponsors for Market Day 2012 are AAA Ohio Auto Club and Mt. Carmel St. Ann's.

Other community activities on Market Day range from book browsing to antiques hunting and children's activities. At the Old Worthington Library, the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries' book sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the Village Green, other attractions at Market Day will include the Worthington Historical Society's flea market, a children's activities area and performing groups, including high school bands.

Event parking is available at Thomas Worthington High School. A free shuttle service, provided by the Griswold Center, Friendship Village of Columbus, The Laurels of Norworth and Worthington, Wesley Glen and Willow Brook Christian Home, will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shuttles will provide back-and-forth routes from the high school to parking lots at The Worthington Inn and the Griswold Center.

Limited parking also is available at the United Methodist Church via Hartford Street and at the Worthington municipal parking lot, west of High Street and behind The Worthington Inn. The municipal parking lot on East New England Avenue is reserved for handicapped parking only during the event.

For more information about the event, call the chamber office at 614-888-3040 or visit the Market Day page on the calendar of events at worthingtonchamber.org. For information about road closures on Market Day, visit worthington.org.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
ThisWeek Community News ~ 5300 Crosswind Drive, Columbus, OH 43228 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service